Shaikh Abdol-Hamid mentioned the Companions of the Last Messenger of Allah ‘truthful and sincere’, calling them ‘educated and capable disciples’ of him, peace be upon him.
Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan began his Friday sermon of April 17, 2015 (27 Jumadi al-Akhir, 1436) by the Noble Qur’anic verse: «يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ», (Believers, have fear of God and always be friends with the truthful ones.); [9: 119]
Pointing out to the sacrifices of the Companions and difficult times at Tabouk Battle, he said, “The trip for the battle of Tabouk to confront the strong Roman army was very long and hard. The enemy was strong and equipped but Muslims were lesser in number without enough equipment and tools; the weather was so hot too. On the other hand, it was the term of harvesting in Madinah.”
“Despite various problems, the Companions got prepared devotedly; Othman, may Allah be pleased with him, gave 300 camels in donation on the path of Allah. Abu-Bakr brought his entire life and Omar donated half of his wealth. On that hard day, Omar realized he could not exceed the status of Abu-Bakr, may Allah be pleased with all of them,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid added more.
He further said, “All Companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, took part in the battle of Tabouk eagerly except four sincere Muslims; one sealed himself with a pillar in Masjid as his repentance was accepted soon. But the other three was boycotted for 50 days. Then their repentance was accepted; Allah Almighty stated that they were not with the truthful ones.”
“In the above-recited verse, the Almighty calls on people to have fear of Allah and accompany truthful people; those who proved their veracity by acts and words. We should look up who is in the circle of our friends; if their deeds, words and views are not correct, we must leave them and get truthful friends,” the rector of Darululoom Zahedan emphasized.
He alluded to some stories of the sacrifices of the great companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and said, “When they were donating their lives and wealth on the path of Allah along with the Last Messenger, they were not aware on a day they would be caliphs defeating enemies and they would establish a state. The only aim of Sahabah was the pleasure of the Almighty. It is the correct viewpoint that none of mentors can train and bring up educated, elite, capable and sincere disciples as the beloved Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, could do.”
The Prophet made Abu-Bakr his comrade and brother
In a part of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid alluded to the death anniversary of the first caliph in Islam, Abu-Bakr as-Seddiq, and said, “Abu-Bakr was so close to the prophet and a trustable companion of him. Once he said on tribune that Allah is his only Khalil (inmate friend) and if he had to take a Khalil from his followers, he would certainly have taken Abu-Bakr but the Islamic brotherhood and friendship is sufficient.”
Pointing out to the direct caliphate of Abu-Bakr and said, “On the last days of his life, the beloved Prophet, peace be upon him, ordered Abu-Bakr to lead prayers in Masjid-un-Nabi; it was a clue that he would be the first caliph after him as Sunni Muslims believe.”
“Once there was a verbal scuffle between Abu-Bakr and Omar. Abu-Bakr apologized but Omar remained silent. When the Messenger of Allah knew about it, he addressed Omar saying why you did not pardon him while he apologized? When you refuted me, Abu-Bakr averred me. The prophet, peace be upon him, used to take care of all of his companions and respect them as they sacrificed for Islam.”
At the end of this part of his sermon, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid addressed the audience and said, “Allah Almighty does not accept the claim of honesty and love without acts. He wants veracity. We must carry out the directions of these great people in our routine lives to be close to Allah.”
Islamic seminaries need public support
The chairman of the Coordination Council of Sunni Seminaries in Sistan-Baluchistan indicated to financial problems of Islamic seminaries of Sunnis in the region and said, “Due to economic sanctions people suffer a lot and markets have been inactive. Our seminaries also face many problems in this regard.”
“Madrassahs can continue their activities when they have the support of people. They only depend on public donations; these donations must not be restricted to some individuals. All should be take part in this religious duty,” Shaikh concluded.
In the final part of his sermon, Khateeb of Sunnis pointed out to the death of the mother of Mawlana Abdol-Ghani Badri, the interim Khateeb of Sunnis and vice-rector for educational affairs of Darululoom Zahedan, and said, “She was really an exceptional woman; she was very pious and sensitive over the upbringing of her children. Now her children are Molawi, Hafedh, teachers and educated persons. May Allah have mercy on her and grant her great blessings.”